It is so nice to be able to spend a couple of hours and create something beautiful and shiny! I started this project by making the bracelet using thick jump rings and joining them together with a clasp on the one side.Then I added the hearts and stars charms! Then added some beads to a one inch post and added those too! I love it!

The above necklace is made by making small sets of 3 beads on a post, then adding them to each other and then adding chain in between.

As you can see from above, I have my beads set out. Then I cut small pieces of 20 guage wire and bend them on both sides, then using my double circle pliers, makes circles onto each end.

Above are all the pieces that I made myself. Then I used small jump rings to attach them to each in sets of three. Then cut two pieces of chain and attached the sets of beads to it. made it a comfortable length to go around my neck twice. I added a lobster claw so I could also wear it as a bracelet.

I found a fabulous bead store and found some pretty pearls that inspired an idea for a necklace.I watched an online tutorial video and this is my first attempt! A couple of my friends and I decided to try this project together. To make the necklace, use 26 guage wire. I put 100 beads on the wire in random order. Then using a 4.5 crochet hook, I started with a slip knot about 2 inches along the wire. Then I did 4 crochet stitches. then slid a bead down beside the crochet hook and did a stitch around the bead as normal. There are a ton of how to crochet with wire and bead tutorials online. TIP: it is worth ensuring that your wire comes away from its holder easily - I spent more time untangling the wire I bought that did NOT come wrapped in a spool - so either buy on a spool or re-wrap onto a spool before starting your project :)It was not easy at first, but my friend was really good at it (her necklace is pictured). She used 50 beads per strand! then I put the three strands together and braided them (below). trying to keep the beads in symmetry as I wrapped the 3 strings together. You can go back and fill in the spaces after - there are tutorials on embellishing necklaces.

I found a slot to attach the wire to while I was braiding so I could use both hands. After the strands are together, I spent some time arranging the beads to make them more uniform (1st pic below is

There is a little bit of black, grey and pearl... with the silver wire showing, it looks sparkly! I love that! Finished with some cones, jump rings and twisting the wire around to secure a clasp! The most time is spent beading the wire, approx. 3 hours in total and I spent $20 but most importantly, my friends and I had a fun time, learned something new together and are planning another BYOB - bring your own beads party!

The above is a matching bracelet that I made using the same process.

But I took the one above apart by taking out the crochet stitches one by one and re-used the beads and made them into a stretch bracelet using elastic jewelry cord and it took less than an hour to make 2 bracelets with 3 rows of beads each!

Happy New Year! I wanted to make a bracelet that sparkled to ring in the new year... I loaded up the 26 size wire with these sparkly beads I bought at the bead store and spaced them out with small silver beads in between. I used a Labrador 1/2 coated 4x6 mm rondelle Chinese crystal bead that I loved in the store.... and a slightly bigger silver bead too!Each strand is attached to the silver jump ring and I just twisted the wire around and around until stable and added the clasp... completed in an hour and cost is under $10. Now to make a matching necklace!